Complaints Handling and Appeals Policy

Journal: African Annual Scientific Review (ASAREV)
Publisher: AJER Publishing

1. Policy Statement

The African Annual Scientific Review (ASAREV), published by AJER Publishing, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, scientific ethics, transparency, accountability, fairness, professionalism, and editorial independence.

The journal recognises that responsible scholarly publishing requires methodological rigour, accurate reporting of research findings, independent peer review, and fair editorial procedures.

ASAREV provides a confidential, impartial, and transparent mechanism for receiving, assessing, investigating, and resolving complaints concerning its editorial processes, peer-review procedures, published articles, research integrity, and the professional conduct of individuals involved in scholarly publishing.

The journal handles complaints objectively and without discrimination, favouritism, intimidation, or undue influence.

This policy is informed by internationally recognised publication ethics principles, including relevant guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to complaints submitted by authors, reviewers, editors, readers, researchers, academic institutions, research participants, and other interested parties.

Complaints may concern:

Editorial decisions and manuscript rejection procedures.
Peer-review processes, reviewer conduct, or suspected reviewer bias.
Unreasonable publication delays or inadequate editorial communication.
Plagiarism, fabricated references, falsified research findings, manipulated statistical results, or other research misconduct.
Authorship disputes, unauthorised authorship changes, or misrepresentation of scholarly contributions.
Conflicts of interest involving authors, reviewers, editors, or Editorial Board members.
Allegations of unethical editorial practices, discrimination, harassment, or professional misconduct.
Inaccuracies, errors, or ethical concerns relating to published articles.
Allegations of compromised peer review or manipulation of editorial decisions.
Concerns regarding article processing charges, editorial independence, or publication procedures.
Inappropriate use of artificial intelligence or other violations of the journal's research integrity policies.
Concerns regarding methodological validity, mathematical or statistical accuracy, computational results, or the reliability of reported research evidence.
Other matters affecting the fairness, transparency, credibility, or ethical operation of the journal.

Complaints must be made in good faith and should contain sufficient information to permit an objective assessment.

3. Submission and Acknowledgement of Complaints

Complaints should be submitted in writing to the ASAREV editorial office through the journal's official communication channels.

A complaint should, where applicable, include:

The complainant's name and contact information.
The title, manuscript identification number, or DOI of the article concerned.
A clear explanation of the complaint.
Relevant dates, correspondence, or other supporting information.
Documentary evidence supporting the allegations.
The resolution or corrective action sought, where appropriate.

The editorial office acknowledges receipt of complaints and undertakes a preliminary assessment to establish whether the matter falls within the journal's responsibilities.

Anonymous complaints may be considered where credible and independently verifiable supporting evidence is provided.

The journal may request additional clarification or documentation before proceeding with an investigation.

4. Preliminary Assessment of Complaints

Upon receiving a complaint, the Chief Editor or an authorised editorial representative assesses its nature, seriousness, credibility, and relevance.

The preliminary assessment determines whether:

The complaint can be resolved through clarification or routine editorial communication.
The matter requires reconsideration of an editorial decision.
The complaint raises concerns about research misconduct or publication ethics.
Further evidence or clarification is required.
An independent investigation is necessary.
The matter should be referred to AJER Publishing, an academic institution, a research ethics committee, or another appropriate authority.

Complaints involving potential conflicts of interest are not assigned to individuals whose impartiality may reasonably be questioned.

Where a complaint concerns the conduct of the Chief Editor or another senior editorial officer, AJER Publishing arranges an independent assessment.

5. Impartial Investigation

Where a complaint warrants further investigation, AJER Publishing establishes an impartial task force or investigation committee.

The committee comprises individuals with appropriate expertise who have no direct conflicts of interest in the matter.

The investigation committee is responsible for:

Examining the complaint and supporting evidence.
Reviewing relevant manuscripts, editorial records, peer-review reports, and correspondence.
Assessing relevant research data, mathematical procedures, statistical analyses, and computational documentation where appropriate.
Consulting independent scientific or research integrity experts where necessary.
Identifying relevant ethical, procedural, or professional standards.
Determining whether the available evidence supports the allegations.
Preparing findings and recommending appropriate corrective measures.

Investigations are conducted confidentially, objectively, and without unnecessary delay.

The publisher recognises that formal investigations into researchers' conduct may fall within the responsibilities of their academic institutions, while ASAREV retains responsibility for editorial decisions and the integrity of its published record.

6. Consultation with Concerned Parties

ASAREV upholds the principles of procedural fairness and the right of response.

All parties directly involved in a complaint are given an appropriate opportunity to:

Understand the substance of the allegations relevant to them.
Present their positions and explanations.
Submit supporting evidence.
Respond to material information affecting the investigation's findings.
Clarify misunderstandings or factual inaccuracies.

No adverse misconduct finding is made without appropriately considering the available evidence and the responses of the concerned parties.

The journal protects confidential information and avoids unnecessary disclosure of complainants' identities, reviewer identities, unpublished research data, or proprietary research materials.

7. Resolution and Corrective Action

Following the investigation, the task force or investigation committee submits its findings and recommendations to AJER Publishing.

Depending on the nature, seriousness, and credibility of the complaint, appropriate measures may include:

Providing clarification or an explanation of editorial procedures.
Facilitating mediation or constructive communication between concerned parties.
Reconsidering an editorial decision where procedural irregularities are established.
Arranging an additional independent peer review where justified.
Correcting inaccurate manuscript or publication information.
Publishing a correction, expression of concern, or other editorial notice.
Retracting a published article where reliable evidence establishes grounds for retraction.
Referring serious research misconduct concerns to relevant academic institutions or competent authorities.
Addressing inappropriate conduct by reviewers, editors, or other participants.
Requesting verification of analytical procedures or research findings where substantial reliability concerns are identified.
Improving editorial procedures to prevent recurrence of identified problems.

Corrective actions must be proportionate to the findings and consistent with the journal's publication ethics and research integrity policies.

8. Communication of Investigation Outcomes

ASAREV communicates the outcome of the complaint to the concerned parties through appropriate official communication channels.

The communication may include:

A summary of the complaint considered.
The principal findings of the assessment or investigation.
The editorial or administrative decision reached.
Corrective actions to be undertaken, where applicable.
Information concerning available appeal or reconsideration procedures.

Confidential research information, personal data, proprietary research materials, and privileged editorial correspondence are protected from unnecessary disclosure.

The journal endeavours to communicate decisions promptly and to inform concerned parties where additional time is required because of the complexity of an investigation.

9. Appeals and Reconsideration

Individuals dissatisfied with the resolution of a complaint may submit a written appeal to the editorial office or AJER Publishing.

An appeal should clearly identify:

The decision being challenged.
The grounds for reconsideration.
Any new evidence or material information.
Alleged procedural irregularities or conflicts of interest.
The outcome sought by the appellant.

Appeals are assessed objectively and, wherever practicable, by individuals who were not directly involved in the original decision.

An appeal does not automatically invalidate or suspend an editorial action already taken to protect the integrity of the scholarly record.

The outcome of the appeal is communicated to the concerned parties in writing.

10. Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

ASAREV handles complaints professionally and with appropriate confidentiality.

Information obtained during complaint assessments and investigations is used only for legitimate editorial, institutional, ethical, or regulatory purposes.

The journal prohibits retaliation, intimidation, harassment, discrimination, or other adverse treatment against individuals who raise legitimate concerns in good faith.

Similarly, individuals against whom complaints are made must be treated fairly and must not be presumed responsible before an appropriate assessment has been completed.

Knowingly false or malicious allegations may themselves constitute misconduct and may be addressed through appropriate procedures.

11. Editorial Independence and Accountability

Complaints are handled independently of financial, commercial, institutional, or personal interests.

ASAREV does not permit article processing charges, professional status, institutional affiliation, or personal relationships to influence complaint investigations or editorial decisions.

The Chief Editor, Editorial Board, and AJER Publishing share responsibility for ensuring that complaints are handled fairly and that appropriate corrective actions are implemented.

12. Policy Implementation and Review

ASAREV periodically reviews its complaints-handling procedures to strengthen transparency, accountability, consistency, and adherence to recognised publication ethics standards.

The journal maintains appropriate records of complaints, investigations, decisions, and corrective actions, subject to applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements.

All complaints and appeals concerning ASAREV should be submitted in writing through the journal's official editorial communication channels.

African Annual Scientific Review (ASAREV)
Publisher: AJER Publishing